Last month, Gina Rodriguez (Jane The Virgin) wrote an open letter in Variety as it condemned Hollywood for the lack of Latino representation both in front of and behind the camera in film and television. This follows the Oscar nominations which did not include a single Latino talent in the four performance categories [link]. She tweeted the following quote from Viola Davis following the nominations on January 23 with “The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity.”

This prompt Filipina American actress Shelby Rabara (Steven Universe, Goliath) to tweet, “I feel the same exact way about the lack of Filipino representation on [s]creen” with the hashtag #letsgopinoysandpinays

Deric McCabe in A WRINKLE IN TIME

Selma filmmaker Ava DeVernay responded in a tweet with “One of the leads of my next film [A] Wrinkle In Time is a tremendous Filipino actor. I want more to know about the rarely seen representation he embodies. He is Deric McCabe (above) and once you meet him in the movie, you won’t forget him.” [link]

I agree only half of Ms. Rabara’s perspective that there are not many Filipino representation in film and television. Take television in 2017, there have been more Filipino representation on the small screen from lead to supporting to guest star to costar to recurring. Which are a whole lot more than in film. In Cinema 2017, I cited Eugene Cordero (of Kong: Skull Island), Jacob Batalon (of Spider-man: Homecoming), Teo Briones (of Wind River), Eden Estrella (of The Fate of The Furious) and Dave Bautista (of Bushwick, Blade Runner 2049 and Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2) were seen on the big screen while Dean Devlin directed Geostorm and Matthew Libatique lensed Mother! [link].

Deric will not be the last FilAm representation in film for 2018. Just last month, Sonya Balmores was seen in Den of Thieves and Michael Golamco’s wrote the film, Please Stand By. This month of February, there have been Filipino contributions on two previously released Hollywood box office motion pictures. And aside from A Wrinkle In Time, there are two other new films with Filipino American actors schedule to release.

A couple of weeks ago on Friday, February 9, the third installment of the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy, Fifty Shades Freed was theatrically released nationwide. And, in the original motion picture soundtrack included the song, “Capital Letters” from FilAm singer Hailee Steinfeld.

And, the wedding dress Anastasia Steele (played by Dakota Johnson) wore was exclusively tailored by the request of the producers just for the film, Fifty Shades Freed by Filipina American fashion designer, Monique Lhuillier.

Last Friday, February 16, Marvel’s Black Panther directed by Ryan Coogler was released in theaters nationwide. Also at movie theaters where all of their screening rooms were just showing Black Panther throughout this three-day Presidents Day holiday weekend.

In the film’s original motion picture soundtrack includes a song produced by Grammy nominated Filipino American music producer, !llmind along with Sounwave called, X (with 2 Chainz & Saudi) – Schoolboy Q, 2 Chainz & Saudi.

“This marks the second #1 Disney movie soundtrack I produced music on (Moana was the 1st). It’s looking like Black Panther is on track to being the biggest…” !llmind tweeted.

Black Panther: The Album is set to deliver the strongest album debut for a Walt Disney Company movie in at least five years (source: Nielsen Music). The album debuted at #1 on the U.S Billboard Charts.

Moreover, one of Marvel’s Senior Visual Development Illustrators, Anthony Francisco, born in the Philippines, used Filipino designs on the Dora Milaje, the Black Panther‘s female warrior guards. [link]. Also Filipino martial arts are noticeable in the fight scenes in the film.

As of this writing, Black Panther has broken multiple box office records this weekend with an estimated global debut of over $350 million. And, the film continues to grow strong based on word-of-mouth, social media and repeat attendance. It is the biggest Marvel film opening for the Marvel Universe.

This coming Friday, February 23 is Orion Pictures’s Every Day starring Filipino American Jacob Batalon (his follow-up after Spider-man: Homecoming) based on the New York Times Best Seller.

And, next week, March 9 will be, not only the release of Ava DeVernay’s A Wrinkle In Time starring FilAm Deric McCabe, but also The Leisure Seeker starring Donald Sutherland and Helen Mirren with Filipino American actor Marc Fajardo supporting.

“Inclusion and representation matter. We’ve seen it time and again and the results speak for themselves, whether it’s a female protagonist in the Star Wars movies, the representation of Polynesian in Moana, or the wonderful story in Coco which was embraced so proudly around the world. We make movies for a global audience of seven billion who come from all walks of life and reflect the diversity of our world. Audiences deserve to see themselves reflected on the screen, and it makes for better and richer storytelling…” says Disney distribution lead Dave Hollis. [link].

This is why FilAm Creative took the lead in representing Filipino and Filipino American filmmakers by creating their FilAm Creations Filmmakers Challenge Initiative in early 2017. In one year, the next generation of Filipino filmmakers have made over 30 short films. Many made its World Premiere at the 33rd Annual Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival and all of them were screened to the public twice. A handful of members has branched out to produce both film and television content with Filipinos in mind.

“With the success of Black Panther and it’s mainly minority cast, there’s a chance that ‘minority films’ can fill the void. Soon, they won’t be seen as minority films but rather, simply as, Hollywood films. It won’t matter if it’s a mainly black cast or a mainly an Asian cast, it will just be a cast..” says former FilAm Creations lead and filmmaker Craig Obligacion-Wilson (Lolo Pepe, The Atomic Kids, Lagim).

2018 FilAm Creative Co-Director of Business Development, Leo Partible adds, “I want to alert you all to why a movie like Black Panther and the current climate send the message that NOW IS OUR TIME! Our allies folks. It’s time. We’re next up.”

If there is any other indication, it was announced last week that Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, filmmaker Ava DuVernay, and producer Dan Lin has launched the Evolve Entertainment Fund to promote inclusion. It was unveiled at a news conference at Rideback Ranch — Lin’s rebranded production company — in Historic Filipinotown. Rideback Ranch will not only house Lin’s company and Lego Movie Headquarters, but will also be home to Warner Animation Group and David Ayer’s new company.

DuVernay announced at the event opening that a new headquarters for her Array Entertainment will move in the same area on Glendale Boulevard. She is opening up a three building campus for her production company and her show Queen Sugar is not too far from the area. The campus will be a collective for women and filmmakers of color. The Evolve fund is an alliance between the City of Los Angeles, industry leaders in entertainment and digital media, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions.

This is great news as DuVernay, Lin and many others will help bring businesses to the Historic Filipinotown community as well as to inspire and provide young people – of the Filipino middle class community another choice – to pursue a career in Hollywood [link] and increase Filipino representation and write and tell our stories on a bigger and mainstream scale much like Deric McCabe and many others before him has.

WHO WE AREFilAm Creative (FAC) is the premiere Filipino American creative organization that promotes a more culturally integrated and diverse entertainment industry. By providing educational and community-oriented programming and resources, FAC aims to encourage and create leaders who share our vision. Based in Los Angeles, this community organization is dedicated to the advancement and empowerment of Filipino-Americans in media and entertainment.

The slow months leading towards the two back-to-back film awards presentations: the Independent Spirit Awards and the Academy Awards are spent with audiences catching their nominated films. These months are also spent with audiences watching other films that may not receive such grand attention and accolade compared to the higher tiered films. However, as what we learned from participating in 2017’s FilAm Creations Filmmaker Challenges, they are much applauded, embraced and appreciated nevertheless.

A bit of backstory in relation to UNLOVABLE. In July, 2015, the film’s lead actress and screenwriter Charlene deGuzman contacted me thru my official site to refer her to Filipino talent who are good in acting and improv to play her parents. However, I could not tell anyone about the film. After a few names I sent her, Abe Pagtama (Lolo Pepe, Kamera obskura, The Flip Side, The Debut) was selected to play her father.

UNLOVABLE is about a sex and love addicted woman who learns what real intimacy is when she starts making music with a reclusive man. The film will make its World Premiere at South By Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas on the weeks of March 9-18. https://schedule.sxsw.com/2018/films/119424

(2) DRIVING WHILE BLACK

Director: Paul Sapiano

Executive Producer: Patrick DiCesare

Producer: Djay Brawner

Screenwriter(s): Dominique Purdy and Paul Sapiano

Cast: Dominique Purdy, Sheila Tejada, John Mead

Sheila Tejada in DRIVING WHILE BLACK

DRIVING WHILE BLACK is a dark comedy, rooted deeply in reality… but not a reality that everybody is familiar with. The film has played across the U.S. and you can also host your own screening. Details here: http://drivingwhileblackmovie.com/host-a-screening/

Based on a screenplay by legendary Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jules Feiffer, BERNARD AND HUEY is a comedy about two old friends who reconnect after 30 years apart, and the women who complicate their lives. Freestyle Digital Media has acquired the North American rights to the film which premiered at Slamdance this year and it is being scheduled to debut in May, 2018.

At this year’s Seattle Asian American Film Festival, a handful of Filipino American films – a few include our own FilAm Creative members – are as follows:

Torn between the ‘perfect’ daughter that her strict traditional family believes her to be and the open-minded free spirit that she is, a second-generation Filipino-American must make a move to declare her identity.

In this coming-of-age story set in the 1980s, the film follows 14-year-old Filipina American Vanessa who is sick of the constraints of her conservative family and the boring piano lessons she takes. On the sly Vanessa teaches herself how to scratch on her older brother’s turntables, and discovers her talents and place in the local music scene.

WHO WE AREFilAm Creative (FAC) is the premiere Filipino American creative organization that promotes a more culturally integrated and diverse entertainment industry. By providing educational and community-oriented programming and resources, FAC aims to encourage and create leaders who share our vision. Based in Los Angeles, this community organization is dedicated to the advancement and empowerment of Filipino-Americans in media and entertainment.

April is in charge of the new surgical innovation contest; the doctors are eager to start their projects; Catherine’s old friend has a shocking idea for Catherine and Jackson; Meredith treats a returning patient who inspires her project. Directed by Jeannot Szwarc and written by Shonda Rhimes and Kiley Donovan.

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WHO WE AREFilAm Creative (FAC) is the premiere Filipino American creative organization that promotes a more culturally integrated and diverse entertainment industry. By providing educational and community-oriented programming and resources, FAC aims to encourage and create leaders who share our vision. Based in Los Angeles, this community organization is dedicated to the advancement and empowerment of Filipino-Americans in media and entertainment.

Great monthly meeting last night. Keep up the good work. Amazing turnout.

That’s what FilAm Creative member and actor/producer Abe Pagtama said when he attended the first networking and potluck event of the new year! Especially with the first guest speaker of the year, and the first time at our monthly event — Sasheen Artis, Chair of the Producers Guild of America (PGA) Power of Diversity Master Workshop.

At that January 28th event, she discussed about the PGA programs and the benefits at the Pilipino Workers Center in Historic Filipinotown Los Angeles.

It’s not about who you know — it’s who knows YOU, advised Sasheen Artis.

So enlightening and inspiring, listening to Sasheen Artis from the Producers Guild. I’ll be submitting my project as soon as my script is finished, says our new Director of Public Relations, Dale Edward Chung.

Speaking of “new,” we also introduced both our Board of Directors and a few of our new 2018 Leadership members.

(From left to right): Board of Director Rex Sampaga, Director of Business Development Arlyn Dela Pena and Vice President Walter Talens

New Director of Content Development Angela Paviera and Board of Director Walter Boholst

New Director of Business Development Leo Partible

New Director of Internal Leadership Development Murphy Pham

Next, attendees of the FilAm Creative General Meeting participated in an “Ice Breaker” activity, of which, they introduced their fellow members to the audience as well as networking.

Tim Cruz, the 2016 Producers Guild of America Diversity Program Fellow shared his thoughts about the first FilAm Creative general meeting of the year.

Vice President Walter Talens sums it up by saying, Thank you to everyone who attended tonight’s meeting. Thank you for bringing the wonderful food or giving a donation in lieu of bringing food. YOU ALL made a successful FilAm Creative meeting for 2018.

Thank you to the leadership team members who helped make the event run smoothly too. Such a positive and wonderful energy to start the year.

WHO WE AREFilAm Creative (FAC) is the premiere Filipino American creative organization that promotes a more culturally integrated and diverse entertainment industry. By providing educational and community-oriented programming and resources, FAC aims to encourage and create leaders who share our vision. Based in Los Angeles, this community organization is dedicated to the advancement and empowerment of Filipino-Americans in media and entertainment.

Character actress Giovannie Espiritu is the lead in new LGBT series on Amazon Prime network.

Giovannie Espirtu stars in “Dyke Central” at Amazon Prime

Character actress Giovannie Espiritu is a chameleon. She plays one of the lead characters on the LGBTQ series, DykeCentral, a dramedy about a group of queer friends living in Oakland, specifically focusing on three women who share a house together that they fondly call, “DykeCentral.” The ten-episode series will be making its debut on the Amazon / Amazon Prime network on February 2, 2018. Espiritu plays a gender-neutral, fiercely loyal, good-natured lothario named Gin. The series itself has already received many accolades from the queer community and has been named as a top lesbian series to watch by many LGBTQ publications including Curve Magazine, Bitch Magazine, BuzzFeed, AfterEllen, and Fusion.

Series creator, Florencia Manovil, and Espiritu originally met in 2008 when Manovil was directing her first feature, called Fiona’s Script, about an introverted bisexual named Fiona who writes a script and interacts with the characters in her head and her real-life friendships. Espiritu was cast as the best friend to the lead, and her performance earned her a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the MethodFest Film Festival in Calabasas, California alongside Academy Award nominees Amy Irving and Alfre Woodard. Espiritu and Manovil developed a friendship on set and continued to work together over the years.

DykeCentral amassed an army of supporters through its film festival run and was placed on smaller niche networks like Revry and OutTV Canada, but this deal with Amazon is the first widespread release of the series. One of the main reasons for its success is the inclusive, diverse representation of queer life, including plotlines that deal with mental health, substance abuse, consent and domestic violence.

Espiritu is nearly unrecognizable as Gin. Even at film festivals, directly after the screening, most audiences cannot identify her since she is about 30 pounds heavier and more masculine in the series. It was important for Manovil to have a “soft butch” in the series and depict larger bodies as desirable and sexually active. Tackling body image and changing stereotypes has been a key component of Florencia Manovil‘s work as a filmmaker. The cast also includes Rain Dove, the androgynous model famous for breaking down the gender binary (Cosmopolitan and Vogue), D’Lo, a Tamil comedian and trans-activist (Transparent, Mr. Robot, Sense 8), Dalia Ali Rajah (Scandal, NCIS, How to Get Away with Murder) and Mahasin Munir (Sense 8).

Espiritu, a filmmaker herself as well as an actress, moved to Los Angeles a year and a half ago and is following in Manovil’s footsteps by creating content featuring women of color in lead roles. Her short film, Paranormal Huntresses, screened at the Palm Springs LGBT Film Festival and she was just hired by Varut Chee, a CBS Diversity writer she met at the Upright Citizens Brigade, to direct the season two finale of his digital series. In typical Angeleno fashion, Espiritu has several other projects currently in development, including an action thriller called, Hummingbird, a dark rom-com tentatively titled, The Corruption of Grace, a solo-show, and a few shorts in pre-production.

WHO WE AREFilAm Creative (FAC) is the premiere Filipino American creative organization that promotes a more culturally integrated and diverse entertainment industry. By providing educational and community-oriented programming and resources, FAC aims to encourage and create leaders who share our vision. Based in Los Angeles, this community organization is dedicated to the advancement and empowerment of Filipino-Americans in media and entertainment.

Watch Sari Arambulo (as ‘Grace’) in the new comedy series A.P. Bio tomorrow night, Thursday, February 1 at 9:30/8:30c on NBC.

Sari Arambulo plays ‘Grace’ in NBC’s “A.P. Bio”

A former philosophy professor who takes a job teaching AP biology, uses his students to get back at the people in his life who have wronged him. Created by Michael Patrick O’Brien and produced by Seth Meyers, Lorne Michaels and Michael Patrick O’Brien, the show stars Glenn Howerton (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) and Patton Oswalt (Veep, Two and a Half Men, The King of Queens).

You can also watch the first three episodes of the show at NBC here: https://www.nbc.com/ap-bio?nbc=1 as well as Hulu before the show returns in March with more episodes delving more into the characters including Grace.

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WHO WE AREFilAm Creative (FAC) is the premiere Filipino American creative organization that promotes a more culturally integrated and diverse entertainment industry. By providing educational and community-oriented programming and resources, FAC aims to encourage and create leaders who share our vision. Based in Los Angeles, this community organization is dedicated to the advancement and empowerment of Filipino-Americans in media and entertainment.

Deedee Magno Hall and Isa Briones of East West Players’ Next To Normal

Congratulations to East West Players for winning for Best Production of a Musical for Next To Normal. Honors also went to two Filipina American actresses – Deedee Magno Hall (left) for Best Lead Actress, Isa Briones (right) for Best Featured Actress as well as to Nancy Keystone for Best Director – winning four awards out of six nominations at Tuesday night’s Ovation Awards presented by the Los Angeles Stage Alliance.

Photo from the Twitter page of Rachelle Ann Go (right)

Hamilton (West End production) in London won the Peter Hepple Award for Best Musical at this past Tuesday night’s Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards. It is the first time the stage play won an award outside of America. Pinay actresses Christine Allado (left) and Rachelle Ann Go (right) as well as some of the cast were in attendance to accept the honor.

Emily Bautista

Emily Bautista has joined the cast of the Broadway production of Les Misérables. She will play the character of Éponine beginning February 20, 2018. She comes directly from the Broadway production of Miss Saigon (her debut show as ‘Understudy Kim’ / ‘Kim’).

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WHO WE AREFilAm Creative (FAC) is the premiere Filipino American creative organization that promotes a more culturally integrated and diverse entertainment industry. By providing educational and community-oriented programming and resources, FAC aims to encourage and create leaders who share our vision. Based in Los Angeles, this community organization is dedicated to the advancement and empowerment of Filipino-Americans in media and entertainment.